SUPERGIRL Returns

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Supergirl - The Complete Second Season' on Blogcritics.

Supergirl, formerly of CBS, moved to the CW network this past year, joining fellow DC properties Arrow, The Flash, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. This did result in some changes, though most of the core cast and tone stayed the same. If you haven’t had the change to see what’s different and what’s not, you’ll now have that opportunity, as Supergirl – The Complete Second Season is available on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital.

The biggest change you’ll see in The Complete Second Season over the first is a more serial nature. CBS is known for doing stand-alone procedurals. Supergirl departed from that formula more than most shows on the network, but more often than not, there was a villain-of-the-week for the Girl of Steel to face. Season two was much more ongoing, with plots not resolved for many episodes, and forcing viewers not to miss a chapter or risk being lost.

Another change is that Supergirl was able to participate in crossover events with the other DC shows. This series does take place on a different Earth than the others, but the producers found a way to make it work. In season one, Barry Allen / The Flash (Grant Gustin) made a one-episode appearance in Supergirl, but that’s about as far as things got. Although Supergirl didn’t have a full “Invasion!” installment like the others this year, the hero herself did take part in the other episodes, and she wasn’t the only character that was allowed to come over. There was also a musical hour that combined the casts of Supergirl and The Flash, and Supergirl was given a device to allow her to travel back and forth again in the future, a convenient plot twist. So lots more synergy.

Those are all positives, but there was one big negative to the change in venues. Because Supergirl moved its production to Canada, where the other CW shows film to save on costs, cast member Calista Flockhart departed as a lead. She did appear in the first two episodes of the season, and then returned for the final two. For awhile, the in between was so good that I forgot to miss her. But the moment she returned, it was like a gut punch, as no one replaces her presence, and the series would be better with her more regularly in it.

Which is not to say there weren’t good parts of season; remember, I just said I forgot to miss her. I loved new character Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath, Merlin) as a friend for Kara (Melissa Benoist). Snapper Carr (Ian Gomez, Cougar Town) was a great presence. Desperate Housewives Brenda Strong and Teri Hatcher (the latter also a former Lois Lane) made absolutely wonderful villains, and no one can complain about Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman) as President. And Supergirl greatly expanded its roster of aliens, introducing viewers to many different species and worlds as it presented allegory and metaphors on race relations and the failings of our current president and the hatred he spews (sometimes a tad too heavily, but mostly fine).

There was also a lot more romance in season two of Supergirl, though thankfully it never took over the course of the show and was handled well. J’onn (David Harewood) got into a very complex relationship with fellow Martian M’gann (Sharon Leal, Dreamgirls) in a Nazi-like story (her type of Martian committed genocide against his). Winn (Jeremy Jordan) was played by an alien named Lyra (Tamzin Merchant, Salem), until he wasn’t. Alex (Chyler Leigh) came out of the closet and into the arms of Maggie (Floriana Lima, The Family). In fact, just about everyone but James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks) got some love, which is fine, since he was pretty much the only one getting any in season one.

The one complaint some fans have is that they didn’t like the introduction of Mon-El (Chris Wood, The Vampire Diaries) as a partner for Kara. I actually don’t mind Mon-El himself, finding him an unobtrusive presence, sometimes bordering on sweet. I do think the show used him mainly the same way a female love interest might be used for a male superhero in the past, often staying at home and out of danger. But that’s OK, overdue in 2017.

My only real complaint is that Supergirl did go a little overboard with proving that the title character was better and stronger than Superman (Tyler Hoechlin, Teen Wolf). I think there was a way to do it without making the legendary hero look like an inept buffoon, and unfortunately, this show went too far tearing him down to make her look good. It’s Mon-El’s job to be Kara’s inferior, not Superman’s.
And I’m just going to say it, I didn’t care for James as The Guardian. I found the subplot boring.
But overall, a strong season, well worth the watch, and an improvement over the first year. Now if only they could convince Flockhart to make it up to Vancouver a little more often…

As far as extras, Supergirl – The Complete Second Season does pretty well. There are five featurettes, four of them good. (I hate the obligatory wrestling episode in this genre, and didn’t need a featurette on it.) There was audio commentary on one episode, which I would like more of. There were also some very short bits that I wish we could hit ‘Play All’ on. But again, overall, I found most of the material enjoyable and informative.

Check out Supergirl – The Complete Second Season on blu-ray, DVD, and digital now.

"The Return" of DALLAS

Article first published as "The Return" of DALLAS on TheTVKing.

TNT's Dallas reboot began its third season this week with "The Return." Picking up twelve hours after season two ended, the characters and situations are pretty much static to how they were left. Which is fine because, on this show, no one is ever done with their secrets and betrayals. More come to light, some are furthered along, alliances begin to fray or shift, and we're right back into the soapy mess of Dallas.

The spectre of JR certainly hangs over the series and always will, long after JR and portrayer Larry Hagman's deaths. Sometimes this is obvious, such as a large picture of the deceased hanging at the offices of the newly-named Ewing Global, or frequent mentions of him in battles of wills between the cast. Other times are more subtle, such as we see a flash of JR in his son, John Ross' (Josh Henderson), face or belt buckle. JR will never be forgotten, he'll always be missed, but the show must go on, and so it does.

A large part of the newest chapter of the story involves the struggle over the future of Ewing Energies. John Ross secures a deal with Ryland Transportation after sleeping with Emma (Emma Bell), but her father, Harris (Mitch Pileggi), is soon out of jail, and so that arrangement surely won't last. John Ross also has a plan to raise come capital, but Bobby (Patrick Duffy) shoots it down, wanting to protect the land around Southfork. Then there's Cliff's (Ken Kercheval) proxy, who joins the meetings to prevent any big changes to the company. So it's a rocky situation that just gets more and more out of control as it goes on.

Because of the ever-shifting relationships and frequent surprises, one never knows in which direction Dallas will go. A lot happens throughout "The Return" to change things over and over again, with the preceding paragraph just mentioning a few of those. Drama drives the show, and there's plenty of that, with more constantly being thrown in to power the engine.

Elena (Jordana Brewster) is the biggest unknown this year. She is still pretending to be the sweet girl the Ewings know, but might she destroy them, having the inside knowledge and access? It seems she could be very dangerous if she really wants to be.

It does seem like "The Return" tries to set up a Bobby / John Ross dynamic that harkens back to the Bobby / JR relationship. It doesn't quite land, though. It may be that the two just are not equals, whether you think Bobby is too smart and experienced to fall for John Ross's stunts, or Bobby is too old to keep up with the younger John Ross' ruthlessness. I understand why Bobby is chosen for this role now, rather than Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe), who has his own story, and isn't currently rising to the level of the other two. But for any lasting chemistry to be established, Christopher will have to fill the Bobby spot in the pairing, rather than using Bobby himself.

Which is not an argument to take Duffy off the show. I really like his character. He just needs to be set up against someone other than John Ross. Maybe Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) could be a worthy foe for awhile? Or maybe the family could finally unite and go against only outside forces, like Ryland and Cliff? One thing is certain, whoever the enemy is will always change from week to week and season to season, so any of these arrangements would probably be temporary.

The boys often rule Dallas so it's nice to see the girls get a chance to shine. There's a fantastic scene in "The Return" where Emma, Pamela (Julie Gonzalo), Ann (Brenda Strong), and Sue Ellen are wedding planning. There's plenty of tension, as Pamela doesn't know that Emma is sleeping with John Ross, yet there's also some affection between the older women and the younger ones. This is a more subtle scene than the conflict the males often bring, but one appreciated nonetheless.

At times, "The Return" gets a little too soapy. Characters don't act as we expect them to. For instance, who would have thought that Elena would ever be able to go evil, no matter what happens? Or Bobby would get so darn angry over minor infractions, rather than building up to a fervor? I do feel like this has markedly gotten worse in the third season than in the previous two. But it's still an enjoyable show, and it has a ways to fall before I stop watching it.

Dallas airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on TNT.

Dallas draws its "Battle Lines"

Article first published as Dallas draws its "Battle Lines" on TheTVKing

TNT's Dallas is back this week with two new hours, "Battle Lines" and "Venomous Creatures." The installments continue the story begun last summer, with the new Ewing Energies launched, family members battle for the direction of the company, and some more secrets brought out into the open.

A pallor hangs over this season because most people know that Larry Hagman, who plays J.R., died mid-way through filming, meaning that his character won't be around much longer. J.R. really drives this program, and while lots of sentimental words have been said in the press recently, it is completely true that the show will be lacking something when he goes. Even while he stays on the fringes of the conflict, egging things on, he's still a driving factor, and no one else in the cast matches his energy and drawing power.

I think an attempt is being made to make John Ross (Josh Henderson) a fitting successor for J.R. Sadly, it's not completely working, at least not yet. Part of this is because there is already a swing towards him being a good guy in the summer run. And, in front of others, he is maintaining that nice persona. Yet, he's also being slimy, sneaking around behind backs to go around his relations. Yes, J.R. does the same thing, but without the history of J.R.'s treachery, John Ross's play for good still seems like it might be authentic. It's a shame that it's not, even if the series needs a villain.

Not that J.R. and John Ross are all bad. When Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) needs them, they go to her side in one of the best scenes in the rebooted series thus far. No one had better mess with their family without their permission.

The struggle for whether Ewing Energies should stay in oil or move to clean energy remains a linchpin of the series, and likely will for some time. It's a debate we have in society at large, too, so it's one that viewers will relate to.

I do find it interesting that the bad guys represent the oil side of things in Dallas. I don't think one can say the series promotes a liberal agenda (even should clean energy be politicized as "liberal," which I firmly feel it should not be), but there is definitely an old world vs. new world sensibility, and the heroes in this show are for progress, not maintaining outdated values. To be honest, given where Dallas is set, I would have expected the opposite.

I do think Ewing Energies is vulnerable to a take over by John Ross because Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) is distracted by his impending divorce proceedings with "Rebecca" (Julie Gonzalo). He is so focused on getting his unborn kids away from her that his methane projects are taking a back seat. And yet, he's not focused enough to realize that John Ross is making agreements with Rebecca, who looks to be setting Christopher up for a big fall, even though Christopher is highly suspicious of both her and John Ross separately. Surely Christopher will catch on soon, no?

Of course, even should the unthinkable happen and Rebecca gets all of Christopher's share of Ewing Energies in the divorce, her and John Ross's combined stock would only make up 50%. As long as Elena (Jordana Brewster) and Bobby (Patrick Duffy) keep their portions of the company secure, then John Ross cannot take it over.

Elena is totally invested in Ewing Energies, so I don't think she'll have any problems, but Bobby has a weakness that can be exploited. His wife, Ann (Brenda Strong), learns that her ex-husband, Harris (Mitch Pileggi, now a series regular), is the one behind the kidnapping of their daughter so long ago. Now Ann has now found her daughter, Emma (Emma Bell, also a series regular), used as a cruel pawn by Harrison, but Emma has been taught to hate Ann by the grandmother that raised her (Judith Light, Ugly Betty, Who's the Boss?).

Now, the reason this matters to Bobby is because he is a good and loving husband. Ann hasn't done anything wrong, as far as we know thus far. So should John Ross talk to Harris, they could easily use the Emma card to leverage Ann and, by extension, Bobby.

Emma is an interesting plot development, to be sure, but something has to stop her from being held over Ann's head for too much longer. She has already cost Sue Ellen her election, a sad development that I was disappointed not to see play out further, since Sue Ellen gets so little story as it is. But Emma cannot continue to be used as a weapon against the family all season. That would cripple them. It looks like Ann may just have to overcome her grief, at least until Emma finds out the truth about her father and grandmother.

Dallas returns true to form, continuing the soapy drama and mystery, moving the arcs along, with really solving anything. That's the way the fans like it, and so viewers should not be disappointed. At least until J.R. is gone, Dallas continues to deliver.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter! 

Dallas faces "Revelations"

Well, it was nice while it lasted. After things briefly looked up for many of the Ewings and assorted gal pals, it all came crashing down in the first season finale for TNT's Dallas, "Revelations." Southfork is safe, as is Sue Ellen's (Linda Gray) run for governor. But everything else, from relationships, to business deals, to shady enterprises, to family members actually getting along, imploded in spectacular fashion. What else would one expect from the legendary TV soap?

The biggest disappointment in "Revelations" is the falling out between Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) and John Ross (Josh Henderson). All Bobby (Patrick Duffy) wants is for his family to stop fighting, and for a bit, with the creation of Ewing Energies, it looks like that might happen. After watching the cousins fight all season, it's heartwarming to see them getting along, and it proves there is affection within the clan.

Then the extent of John Ross's mis-dealings are exposed, and he's back on the outs with Christopher and Bobby, vowing revenge. Could Christopher have lasted in a happy life for very long? How soon before he began scheming again, even with their love and approval? I guess we'll never know, because the good guys in Dallas need foes, and apparently there weren't enough already without Christopher. It's just a shame this plot didn't get a season or two to play out, as John Ross has been wonderfully swaying between light and dark, and it would have been nice to give light a chance before turning him completely into his father's son.

J.R. (Larry Hagman) is delighted by this disaster. Scraping by, getting himself and John Ross off the hook for fraud charges, he seems positively delighted that John Ross has dedicated himself to taking down Christopher. After all, while we do get a chance to see that J.R. really loves Bobby in "Revelations," their feud gives J.R.'s life purpose. It drives him, and without it, he would be nothing. It's twisted, yes, but J.R. has succeeded in sending John Ross down the same path. They won't ever destroy their relations completely, as that would take all of the excitement out of their lives. But they will battle viciously. Seems the great view is not all John Ross has inherited from his father.

This leaves the fate of Ewing Energies up in the air. Christopher and John Ross are already tied together in business, apparently, seemingly too late for them to dissolve the enterprise. That's acceptable, even if it feels a little forced, because it keeps them in close contact, and gives them an arena to play their game in.

John Ross has another level of distaste for Christopher because he believes Christopher stole his girl, Elena (Jordana Brewster). It doesn't matter that Elena was with Christopher first, or that she was driven away by John Ross's own actions. The bottom line is that she switched cousins (again), and so John Ross is driven by jealousy, as much as by abandonment and neglect. This episode almost feels like the origin story of a super villain.

Christopher is freed up to go back to his first love because he learns part of Rebecca's (Julie Gonzalo) secret. She is not actually named Rebecca. This should null their marriage, since she committed fraud, stealing someone else's identity. Sadly, they do have kids on the way that are legitimately theirs, which just puts the children in the middle of a mess that will have to be sorted out next season.

But the Ewings do not realize that, while we do not yet know Rebecca's real first name, her last name is Barnes. As in Cliff Barnes (Ken Kercheval), an old antagonist for the family. Dallas has done well walking the line between reliving the glory days of its previous run, and injecting new blood into the mix. Finding out that "Rebecca" is Cliff's daughter ties the two paths even more firmly together, cementing this as a continuation of the old series, but also keeping it fresh and interesting. It should make for an expanded role for Cliff in season two, adding another alum to the lineup.

As mentioned in the opening, Sue Ellen not only survives "Revelations," but triumphs. With a big assist from Ann (Brenda Strong), she salvages her run for governor and defeats her enemies. For now. Sue Ellen, more than Bobby or J.R., has a small part in season one. Hopefully, with her involvement in politics, she will get more screen time and importance in season two. After all, this puts her in a very rich vein to mine.

Ann's own win comes when she confronts her ex, Harris Ryland (Mitch Pileggi). Yes, she is there to protect her family, including Sue Ellen. But Ann is also there for herself. Too long she has been bullied by this man, and even moving on to a second husband doesn't save her. But wearing a wire and playing him like a finely tuned piano finally lets her come out on top, and put Ryland in his place. It's a great moment for Ann, showcasing some serious strength of character, something we didn't really see until now, and it will be awhile before Ryland messes with her again.

Dallas gave a great first ten episodes, but that's surely just a taste of what they have in store. Last time, the series lasted a decade and a half. After a nice long break to recharge, how many more seasons do they have in them? Any chance of matching that old sprint? It's too soon to tell, but the early signs are positive.

Dallas will return to TNT in January.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! Article first posted at TheTVKing

"Truth and Consequences" rear their heads on Dallas

For those who wondered if the new TNT continuation of Dallas would unfurl the drama slowly, this week's episode, "Truth and Consequences," proves the answer to that is a resounding no. Only five hours in, J.R.'s (Larry Hagman) scheme to buy Southfork has come to fruition, leaving Bobby (Patrick Duffy) scrambling to save his family estate from his conniving brother. This can only be done if Bobby finds proof that J.R. knew about the fraud in the sale, which is pretty difficult, what with J.R. skipping town and all.

To have Southfork trade hands from Bobby to J.R. so early in the series'  run is very surprising, but gratifying. Personally, I assumed Bobby would catch on before it was too late. There is a very real chance that Bobby will wrest control back by the end of the season. But the battle over the land certainly seems to be the first major struggle between the brothers, and one that will definitely have some legs for awhile.

In this contest of wills, Bobby is most definitely the good guy to J.R.'s villain. Yes, J.R. has a right to be angry that Bobby acted behind his back. Yet, J.R. doesn't deserve the property. And because Bobby is honest about his intentions and motivations, at least, that looks to be true based on what we've seen, it's hard to imagine how anyone could root against him. Which doesn't mean that J.R.'s evil glint isn't thoroughly enjoyable.

As clear cut as the brothers' feud is, the fight between their sons is much more murky. Both Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) and John Ross (Josh Henderson) have their positives and their negatives. While the balance has thus far put Christopher in the better light, the events of "Truth and Consequences," no matter how justifiable, may just begin to tip the scale.

John Ross is a snake. Viewers have seen this. He did help his daddy plot to take Southfork, and just because J.R. cut him out of the deal doesn't absolve him from his earlier involvement. For this, John Ross deserves to have bad things happen.

Yet, there is a certain amount of sympathy due to the young man. After all, he is J.R.'s son, and that surely comes with some suffering. And he really does appear to be in love with Elena (Jordana Brewster), even if, in the name of business and family loyalty, he cheats on her and doesn't stay true to her. Plus, with Christopher breaking into John Ross's place, and Elena mistrusting John Ross for the wrong reasons, he doesn't deserve everything that is heaped on him. Though he does deserve punishment for things that have not yet been exposed.

Christopher, on the other hand, isn't dealing with matters so well. Losing Southfork is pretty tough to stomach, and finding out that his new wife, Rebecca (Julie Gonzalo), is trying to steal his money isn't exactly easy, either. Getting drunk, breaking and entering, theft, blackmail, and being mean to Elena are not excusable, even under these pressures. Christopher needs a break if he is going to retain his humanity. Which he still has, as seen in "Truth and Consequences," when he decides not to hurt Elena by showing her John Ross's sex tape.

There is much room for debate in the question of who should be with who, romantically speaking. John Ross loves Elena, but she shouldn't trust his lies. Christopher deserves a second chance with Elena, now that he knows she didn't break up with him via e-mail, but he'll need time to regain her trust and affection. Rebecca does care about Christopher, even if she only gets that message across to Ann (Brenda Strong), so I kind of want Christopher to give her a second chance. After all, most of the bad stuff she did was Tommy's (Callard Harris) fault, with Rebecca remaining partially ignorant, even if she should have known better. And Dallas hasn't even tried a John Ross / Rebecca pairing, which will have to come up at some point.

Now that J.R. has control, the drilling on Southfork has begun, forever alternating the picturesque landscape. Ann wants to halt the work before it destroys too much, so she goes to her ex-husband, Harris Ryland (Mitch Pileggi, Grey's Anatomy, The X-Files), who just happens to be essential to J.R.'s plans. It's a coincidence, to be sure, but not too far outside of the realm of believability. After all, the big oil men of Dallas all must move within certain circles, so for Ann to have a connection to another power player, besides the Ewings, comes across as natural.

What will Ann do to help Bobby? What should she do? Her ex appears to be abusive emotionally, if not physically. What might he ask for from Ann to kill the deal? There is a lot of money on the line, so Ann has to offer him something extremely worthwhile. It doesn't appear that he wants anything sexual. This story should be fun, whatever way it goes, and at least Ann finally gets to do something besides play the supportive spouse.

With so many interesting and twisty plots constantly developing in new, unexpected directions, Dallas is the guilty pleasure show of the season, all the more welcome now that Desperate Housewives, whom it sports a not inconsequential number of alumni from, is gone for good. There are some plot holes in the stories, but overall, it's fun, and that's pretty important for a summer series. Watch Dallas Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on TNT.

Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com  If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Article first published on TheTVKing.com

Return to Dallas

 One of the most anticipated events of the summer is TNT's revival of the classic prime time soap drama, Dallas. Just over two decades since the fourteen season drama bowed off the air, it returns, a continuation to the original. This is not a reboot or a remake, but rather, continues the story started years ago, adding a new generation into an old rivalry, and it does not disappoint.

As the first episode, "Changing of the Guard," begins, J.R. (Larry Hagman) is suffering from a deep depression, unresponsive to visitors. Brother Bobby (Patrick Duffy), happy in his own life with wife Ann (Brenda Strong, Desperate Housewives), and facing a terminal illness, regrets their fraternal tension, hoping that their sons will not continue the horrible tradition.

But Bobby's hopes are not destined to come true. J.R.'s son, John Ross (Josh Henderson, huh, Desperate Housewives), is secretly drilling for oil on the family's property of Southfork, and finds it! A wrench is thrown into his plans to make the family rich in this business when Bobby announces his intention to sell Southfork, planning on giving the profits to his own son, Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe, would you believe it, Desperate Housewives), who seeks to develop clean energy. The battle is on, with twists and turns that soon reawaken J.R.'s ornery spirit.

There is something somewhat fitting that J.R. sits dormant until this new opportunity to tangle emerges. Even those not familiar with the original series have heard about how ruthless this character can be. Without an enemy to fight, he becomes unneeded in the world, and shuts down. But now that Bobby is poking the dragon, so to speak, J.R. comes back to life. Upon learning that John Ross intends to cross him, too, J.R. really digs in. Watch out!

Of course, in a series such as Dallas, there is never just one thing going one. As fun as the feuds are, there also has to be romantic tension. John Ross is furious when he learns that his gal, Elena (Jordana Brewster, Desper...er, Chuck), is only with John Ross because she received a breakup e-mail from Christopher years ago. Neither Christopher nor John Ross sent the e-mail, so who did? And does it even matter anymore, as Christopher almost immediately weds Rebecca Sutter (Julie Gonzalo, Eli Stone, Veronica Mars), who has a secret of her own?

Rounding out this gang is original cast member Linda Gray, who plays J.R.'s ex-wife, and John Ross's mother, Sue Ellen. Sue Ellen is preparing to run for governor, but her connections with the family may prove a little more tumultuous than is generally considered good for a campaign.

Having not been a viewer of the original, I cannot say if these new installments live up to their predecessors. This Dallas, though, is a guilty pleasure. It's an entertaining ride, with more twists than a lasso. It doesn't feel dated, even though the old timers still figure prominently into the plot, nor does it come across as a teeny bopper's delight, despite the new blood. There is a nice balance stricken, and this is certainly a series I will be tuning into weekly for the foreseeable future.

Watch Dallas Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on TNT.

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Desperate Housewives desperate no more

As ABC's Desperate Housewives begins its two hour finale last night, there is still a lot going on. Bree (Marcia Cross) is standing trial for murder. Renee (Vanessa Williams) is days away from her wedding. Susan (Teri Hatcher) has to break some big news to her dearest friends. Lynette (Felicity Huffman) is facing a finalized divorce. Gabi's (Eva Longoria) marriage comes under new strain. Karen (Kathryn Joosten) is staring death in the face. And Katherine (Dana Delany) returns, stirring up trouble.

That's a lot to cover in two hours, and yet, Desperate Housewives makes it look effortless. Sweeping through plots without rushing them, building suspense, but not into anything too over the top, the final two hours hit every emotional note they need to hit, leaving viewers with specific impressions about where their favorite characters will be. The show knocks out the tears in the final moments, leaving a refreshing feeling of completeness.

At first glance, the ending is sad. Bree, Lynette, Gabi, and Susan have been through a lot together, and they reflect on this as they play their final hand of cards. They will not grow old together on Wisteria Lane, sharing more memories and moments, even though they were extremely important in each others' lives for so long.

But leaving Wisteria is for the best. The lane is full of gossip and murder, rumors and betrayal. For each of the four main players to live happily ever after, they must escape this cycle. And they all do. Perhaps they need each other to overcome their challenges, but not to sail off into the sunset. By moving away, they prove they are desperate no more, and finally find peace in their lives and marriages.

The beginning of the two hour finale starts with Karen. Her neighbors prove just how much they care about her by allowing her to spend her final days in her own house, with Roy (Orson Bean) by her side. As an ultimate thank you, Karen takes the rap for the murder, allowing Bree and the others to go free. With her failing health, Karen isn't charged with her own trial, and gets to slip peacefully off into the night, a beloved record playing her out. It's sweet and sad, but also celebratory of a life well lived, full of love.

This theme continues with the others. Renee is married to Ben (Charles Mesure), who proves to be an honorable man who will treat her well. While it might have been nice to have seen Renee's future, it isn't strictly necessary because of where she ends things. Besides, she is never as deep into the mire as the rest, anyway.

Bree finds romance once more with Trip (Scott Bakula). They move to Louisville, where Bree is finally surrounded by other ladies like her, and she rules them all. This is a fitting ending for Bree, who deserves a fresh start. What's more, in Trip, Bree may finally have found the perfect man, one who will treat her how she wants to be treated, and be her equal. It comes late in the game, but late is better than never.

Gabi supports her family with a successful business venture, side by side with Carlos (Ricardo Antonio Chavira), bickering all the while. Carlos's comment at Renee's wedding, that they dance a tango instead of a waltz, is fitting. There is a nice throw back to their very first story, involving a gardener, which really highlights where they've been, and what they are now. These two have been through so much together, and have shown the most growth of anyone in Desperate Housewives. They are richly rewarded for this.

Lynette and Tom (Doug Savant) reconnect. How can they not? They belong together. Katherine's last minute offer throws a monkey wrench into their union, but after what they've been through in the past year, anything else is an easy hurdle. What they both realize, with jobs and children stripped away, is that they mean more to each other than anything else. And so they move to New York City, Lynette as a CEO, finally succeeding as more than a wife and mother, and live in a penthouse apartment. Fitting.

Susan gets the least reveal of anyone, but then, her story is the furthest from being over. As Julie (Andrea Bowen) goes into labor on the way to Renee's wedding, Susan once more has to deal with a slapstick emergency, a theme in her life. Unlike the others, Susan's existence will never be calm. But moving in with her daughter, helping to raise her grandchildren, she will find what she is looking for. There may be a number of other challenges, but this cannot be told in a scant few moments, so we're left with the impression that Susan is beginning a new journey instead. She still has a long road ahead, but at least she's on the right path.

These women deserve to be happy. That cannot be said at the beginning of Desperate Housewives. Their trials and tribulations make them work for the joyous ending. But they do so, and they come out stronger because of it. The series is the story of this battle, and how they help each other through it. Now it's time to enjoy the spoils of their rewards, which would make boring television, so it's nice that they end where they do.

The final shot of Susan leaving the street, driving past the ghosts of Wisteria Lane, is powerful. Sans Edie Britt (Nicolette Sheridan), who recently engaged in an ugly court battle with creator Mark Cherry, just about every notable character killed off returns, dressed in white. There's Karl (Richard Burgi) and Rex (Steven Culp) and Chuck (Jonathan Cake) and George (Robert Bart), and even people who aren't Bree's exes, too! Beth (Emily Bergl), Martha Huber (Christine Estabrook), and many more return. And of course, Karen, Mike (James Denton) and Mary Alice (Brenda Strong) are there. It's not everyone, but it's a lot. It's hard to imagine a more perfect tribute, and it certainly will be an image that sticks with one through the years. Awesome.

Thank you to the cast and crew of Desperate Housewives for eight mostly wonderful years. While it was time to end it, you did so well, and you will be missed!

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To buy Desperate Housewives DVDs or streaming episodes, please click here. This article was first posted as Desperate Housewives desperate no more on TheTVKing.com

Desperate Housewives are "Putting It Together"

     ABC's Desperate Housewives is done with its fall run, as "Putting It Together" sets up a cliffhanger for the rest of the final season. Chuck (Jonathan Cake) is closing the noose around the girls, calling each in for questioning, except Bree (Marcia Cross). Chuck now even knows that Alejandro (Tony Plana) is Gaby's (Eva Longoria) stepfather. The friends begin to turn on each other under the pressure, and they all abandon Bree. Lynette (Felicity Huffman) asks Tom (Doug Savant) not to go out of town, which may cost him his girlfriend, Jane (Andrea Parker). Susan (Teri Hatcher), on the other hand, considers fleeing the city by taking an amazing job in New York. Bree turns back to alcoholism, and speaks to the dead Mary Alice (Brenda Strong), who says she isn't unhappy on the other side. And Chuck is hit by a car, driven by someone yet to be revealed. 

     Desperate Housewives is really going to a dark place here, putting Bree in similar shoes to Mary Alice in the "Pilot." Will Bree follow in her former neighbor's footsteps and take her own life? One would think, after everything that Bree has been through, and knowing how Mary Alice's suicide hurt everyone so long ago, that she will know better. And yet, Mary Alice, who must be a projection of Bree's own mind, tells her that death isn't unpleasant. This means Bree is considering permanent, drastic measures. Bree is pretty alone right now, with only Ben (Charles Mesure) showing her kindness. If she were ever going to do it, this would be the time.

     But the wives will surely pull back together again. "Putting It Together" doesn't even mark the halfway point of this season. With so many more hours to go, it's not yet time for anyone to get caught. And while various characters have falling outs over the years, they never fail to reconnect when times are tough. Never have times been more tough than they are right now.

     A saving grace for the girls is Chuck's accident. Whether he is dead or just out of commission for awhile, having Chuck get hurt eases the pressure. Clearly Chuck isn't working as part of an investigative team, as he is allowed to toy with the housewives, rather than just arrest them. If other cops were involved, they would not allow such a thing. Chuck is operating on his own personal vendetta against Bree, seeking to hurt her as she hurt him. Which means that all of the important facts of the case that he has, he probably hasn't shared with anyone.

     Renee (Vanessa Williams) catches Ben giving Bree a sympathetic ear in "Putting It Together," and does not take kindly to it. Bree is single, so it might be understandable that Renee would get jealous, seeing her boyfriend gab with the pretty neighbor. And Renee and Bree aren't too close, the murder isolating the four main Desperate Housewives from their other friends to some degree. Ben is in the know, which might hurt his budding relationship with Renee, if she doesn't ruin it herself.

     It's about time that Lynette lets Tom is on the secret in "Putting It Together," as he is the last husband to be in the loop. Her intention is to make sure that someone is around for their kids, but it might also bring the couple closer together, considering that Tom staying in town likely ends things between him and Jane. The problem here is, Ben now helps cover up the murder, Mike (James Denton) buries the body, and Carlos (Ricardo Antonio Chavira) is the killer, so adding Tom expands the list of vulnerable people in Desperate Housewives. There are now eight people involved in the conspiracy. If the police ever learn the truth, half of the lane stands to go down for the crime, and no one's children will be taken care of.

     Desperate Housewives continues its final season in January on ABC.

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Article first published as TV Review: Desperate Housewives - "Putting It Together" on Blogcritics.